Senior Researcher: Machine Learning for Intelligent Systems

The Machine Intelligence team at Microsoft Research Cambridge conducts foundational machine learning research across learning algorithms, model architectures, intelligent systems, and efficient AI.

We are seeking a Researcher to join our programme of research on integrated intelligent systems. Our research investigates how AI systems can reason, remember, exercise control, and interact effectively with computational tools, with related opportunities in multi-agent learning and architectures. A central goal is to develop new foundations for AI agents that can operate reliably over long horizons while remaining understandable and governable.

We seek a highly collaborative researcher with a solid record of original research, deep expertise in one or more relevant areas, and a commitment to impactful research. The role offers substantial scope to initiate and drive research directions while collaborating across disciplines and teams.

• Develop and lead an original research programme in one or more areas: memory; reasoning and control; tools and computation; or relevant multi-agent algorithms and architectures.
• Contribute to the team’s broader scientific direction through collaboration and the development of new research directions.
• Advance rigorous and responsible approaches to intelligent systems, considering reliability, efficiency, transparency, privacy, and human oversight alongside capability.
• Collaborate with researchers across Microsoft Research and the wider research community.
• Disseminate research through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, open scientific engagement, and collaboration with the broader research community.
• Mentor interns and less experienced researchers, providing guidance and feedback on their research and development.

Required/Minimum Qualifications

• A PhD in Machine Learning, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field.
• Deep expertise and a solid record of original research in one or more areas of AI or machine learning, such as statistical methods, optimisation, probabilistic modelling, reinforcement learning, deep learning and learning theory, evidenced by top-tier publications or equivalent research contributions.
• Demonstrated ability to identify important research questions and independently drive research projects.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas to a broad scientific audience and collaborate effectively across research areas and teams.

Preferred/Additional Qualifications

• A sustained record of original, peer-reviewed research at leading venues in AI and machine learning, such as NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, UAI or AISTATS.
• Research evidence in persistent memory, long-horizon planning, adaptive computation, formal or practical tool interfaces, verification, recovery, or agent evaluation.
• Experience with reproducible benchmarks, evaluation harnesses, systems instrumentation, security, privacy, or safety research for AI agents.
• Evidence of developing an original research agenda, leading research projects or collaborations, and mentoring less experienced  researchers.

We value depth, originality, intellectual independence and transferable research skills. Candidates do not need to have worked on every topic above. We are particularly interested in researchers who bring a strong perspective from their own area and are excited to use it to develop new foundations for intelligent systems.

Research Sciences IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across United Kingdom is £ 74,700.00 - £ 122,600.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/united-kingdom-corporate-pay.html

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.